Javier Solana

Javier Solana Madariaga (born July 14 1942) has been selected by the European Council to be its first powerful Foreign Minister under the new European Union constitution when it is ratified. The constitution will be signed in Rome November 2004 by the 28 member countries.

Akiva Eldar, a senior journalist with Haaretz, writes (14 July 2009) :

A retired hero European diplomats are wondering what happened to Javier Solana, the European Union's foreign policy chief. Throughout his many long years in this post, the Spanish statesman always carefully maintained a low profile with respect to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Here a relaxed meeting with Ariel Sharon at the height of Operation Defensive Shield, there a courtesy visit with Ehud Olmert toward the end of Operation Cast Lead. Even when his legs were in the East, his heart was far away in the West, in the White House and in the U.S. State Department. During president George W. Bush's eight years in office, Solana transformed the European Union into a ward of the Americans with regard to anything related to the Mideast conflict. It is unclear what suddenly prompted him to take the initiative and suggest that the UN set a target date for the creation of a Palestinian state, even without Israel's consent. Perhaps it is the new spirit emanating from the White House, or perhaps it is his impending retirement – maybe both.

Memorable Quotes
Let me say a word about Israel and Europe. I don’t think that the Israeli people are aware of the relationship, as deep as it is, between the European Union and Israel. There is no country outside the European continent who has the type of relations that Israel has with the European Union. Israel, allow me to say, is a member of the European Union without being a member of the institutions. It is member of all the programs... [applause]... and I would like to emphasize and underline, with a very thick line, in all the programs of research and technology – this is fundamental – and ... I am sorry to say, but ... I don’t see the president of Croatia here. But I have to tell you, now that he is not here – his country is part of the European Union – that your relation, today, with the European Union is stronger than the relation of Croatia. Don't tell him that. &mdash;Javier Solana 21 October 2009

Affiliations

 * International Board of Governors, Peres Center for Peace

Related Sourcewatch articles

 * Center on International Cooperation
 * Constance E. Cumbey